Kevin Mirallas scored the only goal of the game as Everton kept in touch with the Premier League top four courtesy of a 1-0 win over Stoke City this afternoon.
© PA Photos
The visitors came within inches of taking the lead inside the first five minutes when Jonathan Walters had the goal at his mercy from six yards out, but he could only find the crossbar with his effort while under pressure from the Everton defence.
Everton should have found the opener after 20 minutes when Leighton Baines's cross reached an unmarked Nikica Jelavic inside the box, but the Croat only succeeded in directing his header straight at Asmir Begovic.
The hosts did take the lead just before the half-hour mark, however, when Mirallas carried the ball from the edge of his own box into Stoke's area before slipping it past Begovic to complete a fine solo goal.
Stoke almost got an equaliser 10 minutes after the restart when Glenn Whelan's free kick was met by Robert Huth, but the German's downward header skidded just past the post.
The Potters should have restored parity seven minutes later as a deflected cross found Ryan Shotton unmarked at the back post, but the Stoke man proceeded to head an effort over the bar from just two yards out.
Jelavic came close to giving Everton a bit of a cushion with 15 minutes left when he struck a free kick from 20 yards out. His strike looked to have clipped the post on its way out, but replays showed that Begovic got a vital hand to it.
The visitors had another good chance to level the scores in the 78th minute when Shotton flicked the ball into the path of Cameron Jerome, but he blazed his effort well over the crossbar.
Stoke couldn't find an equaliser in the closing stages as Everton held on for a win that keeps them just two points behind fifth-placed Arsenal.
Barney Corkhill
